Australasia's home for timber news and information

EU turns to WTO about Russia trade restrictions

The EU is requesting consultations with Russia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning export restrictions placed by Russia on wood products. The export restrictions consist of significantly increased export duties on certain wood products and a drastic reduction in the numbe
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Lumber rallying again with increase in housing

Lumber prices are rallying again as housing demand remains hot and supply-chain disruptions continue to drag on. A recent survey of home builders revealed that many expect lumber prices to continue to go up in 2022. Source: Business Insider Currently, the commodity is worth US$1,188 p
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China wood conference highlights development of CLBT from bamboo

Engineered wood products (EWPs), including cross-laminated timber (CLT), are in increasing demand in China’s ancient building renovation or pseudo-classic building construction markets. These activities are related to China’s cultural tourism promotion. In addition, EWPs are used in d
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Japan explores wooden sidewalks for safety and sustainability

The idea for a wooden sidewalk came to Akihiko Higuchi after his grandmother lost her eyesight. Instead of a sidewalk of asphalt, could one be made with something else that is safer for the visually impaired? The answer was wood, which also made it eco-friendly. Source: Inquirer Kyush
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US launches 10-year strategy to fight wildfires with Forestry Service

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Forest Service Chief Randy Moore have launched a comprehensive response to the nation’s growing wildfire crisis – “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A Strategy for Protecting Communities and Improving Resilience in America’s Forests.” Source: Ti
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Koskisen to use bio-based binder in new furniture board

Finnish plywood manufacturer Koskisen is the first company to start using a bio-based binder NeoLigno by Stora Enso in its new sustainable product family. Source: Timberbiz Koskisen and Stora Enso’s co-operation has resulted in the world’s first entirely bio-based furniture board, cal
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Amateur lumberjacks put themselves at risk

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has urged amateur lumberjacks who are venturing into forests to cut up windblown trees to stay at home and leave the job to the professionals. Source: Timberbiz The call comes as staff in one Region liaise with Police Scotland about one individual who
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Indonesia revokes 192 forestry permits

The Indonesian government has revoked 3 million ha forest permits in a press statement Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the government has revoked 192 forestry sector permits covering an area of 3,126,439 hectares because companies that have the permits have not carried out
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Japan makes the most of its forests and forestry

Japan’s Sumitomo Forestry Co and Kyoto University plan to send samples of wooden material to the International Space Station to conduct experiments on their practicality for use in spacecraft engineering. Source: Taipei Times Their aim is to launch the world’s first wooden satellite n
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Cambodia has a plan for forestry and to meet COP26 promises

Cambodia begins the new year as the first nation in Southeast Asia to publish a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The roadmap, known officially as a “Long-term strategy for Carbon Neutrality (LTS4CN)” was submitted to the United Nations Convention on Climate Chang
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